Monday, Aug. 19, 2013

Teacher killed in fire remembered as adventurous go-getter

By ROBERT A. CRONKLETON

The Kansas City Star

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Patricia Sue Partridge, a longtime teacher who died in a house fire last week, was an adventurous go-getter who loved the children she taught.

“My mother loved working with students and loved seeing them succeed,” Michael Partridge of Olathe said in an email.

“More importantly, she knew how unique each student was and was always able to figure out the best way to motivate each student to see them succeed.”

His mother died Aug. 9 in a fire at her home near near 155th Street and Mur-Len Road in Olathe. She was 55.

Investigators determined that careless smoking caused the fire.

James Partridge of Overland Park said his mother had a knack of dividing up a lot of information into easily understandable and interesting lessons.

“She always knew every one of her students and would enjoy getting to know them throughout the year,” he said in an email. “Many of her students thought of her as both a teacher and a friend.”

His mother graduated from St. Mary’s University in 1980 and worked for the Olathe School District for about 30 years.

She received her master’s degree in education from the University of Kansas in 1990.

Patricia Partridge also coached track and volleyball, and outside of the school, T-ball.

“I think she enjoyed it because it was more time with the students,” said daughter Sarah Wood of Overland Park in an email. “She was just as passionate about seeing her students progress in athletics as in the classroom.”

Partridge also enjoyed crafts and ceramics.

“I get my love of crafts from her,” said daughter Mary Best of Kansas City in an email. “She was a fierce painter, loved ceramics and was very into the arts.”

Partridge is survived by her children, Sarah Wood and her spouse, Corey, of Overland Park; James Partridge of Overland Park; Mary Best and her spouse, CJ, of Kansas City; and Michael Partridge and his spouse, Lauren, of Olathe.

She is also survived by her mother Murine Bryce and her sister Mary Schmitt of St. Louis.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Redeemer Fellowship, 3921 Baltimore Ave., in Kansas City.

To reach Robert A. Cronkleton, call 816-234-4261 or send email to bcronkleton@kcstar.com.